Poonam Desai

“No Way Home” by Poonam Desai

Submitted to Contest #98

My Papah says America will be good. He says it will take care of us. He says the city has better opportunities and we will have more food. He wanted me to go to a school and have a chance at a better life. Many people from our settlement had travelled to America and made a life there. Papah was confident we would thrive there as well. Just the night before I had heard him tell Mummah, "You worry too much. Look at Nico. He is settled in America, he has a place of his own. He works at the docks but thats a steady income. I can't let Lily grow...

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“Toxic” by Poonam Desai

Submitted to Contest #96

The distinct click of the gun told me my end was near. “Annie you don’t have to do this.” Her hands shook as she held me in place. “You weren’t suppose to know. You weren’t suppose to be here.” While I had been suspecting Annie was in trouble, I had never counted on her being a gun toting lunatic. A week ago we were best friends, gossiping over cocktails, checking out hot guys. Life had been simple. Me and Annie went a long way. Middle school to college, same school same class, best friends. The year we graduated, however, things changed. S...

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“Blind man's buff” by Poonam Desai

Submitted to Contest #92

Its amazing what you could overhear in a metro ride, or the theatre or even the men’s loo. Sometimes there are good stories, sometimes sad and sometimes secrets. What is it that makes these public places and complete strangers so trustworthy? Maybe it’s – who were they going to tell? Or other times – they will probably forget it. I have had people tell me all kinds of things; affairs, losses, toe fungus? - breakups, performance issues? But there was one man who said the weirdest thing of all! I was in a metro and a person next to me was lis...

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“Interstice” by Poonam Desai

Submitted to Contest #89

As I stood devastated before the family court building, a lone tear spilt and left a blotch on the divorce papers I had clutched hard in my hands. I couldn't believe it was all over now. I looked at Jason walk towards his car, half heartedly hoping that he might turn in my direction and may be just maybe change his mind. But who was I kidding? It was over. I sighed and got into an Uber. I let myself sink into the seat and the floodgate of my emotions opened. By the time the cabbie dropped me, I looked like Rudolf the reindeer on a bad day. I...

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“Gaya” by Poonam Desai

Submitted to Contest #86

I stood at the door, as a wolf crept towards me. It stared at me, as if sizing me up. It barked and the sound echoed in my head, "Who are you?" I tilted my head, scared of the weird event. Just then my father walked up behind me. I looked up into his smiling eyes, and back at the wolf, but it was gone. Dad and I walked back inside and settled for breakfast. I poured some milk over my cereal and dropped a question before my dad, "Dad can people hear animals?" I chomped on my cereal, as I waited to hear his reply. "Yeah, we do hear them bark a...

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“Another Day.” by Poonam Desai

Submitted to Contest #84

As I sat on the stairs, my hands pressed around the warm coffee mug, I stared at the street before me, devoid of its usual hustle bustle. The neighbourhood was silent and even the lawns needed a trim. It had been a month since the lockdown was moderated, but somehow the feeling of safety hadn't returned. The malls and shops were barren, and the school playgrounds held a grave silence. They all were a reminder of how Corona had turned our world upside down. There was an odd soul walking down the street, maybe returning back from an errand, bu...

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“Tallying the time” by Poonam Desai

Submitted to Contest #74

I still remember the day I had received his letter. I had been getting ready to leave for work when the door bell had rung. The mail man had smiled as he had handed me the letter. "Have a nice day ma'am," he had wished, tipping his cap, before he rode off on his bike. I stared at the letter, turning it around, but there was no name or address indicating who the sender could be. I sat down and opened the letter. 15th December 2019 Dear Daisy How have you been? I know it's a little late it's very late, however, I had to let you know. Had to t...

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“Lets Play Hookie!!” by Poonam Desai

Submitted to Contest #73

Amelia stumbled out of bed as she went towards the main door, where the incessantly ringing doorbell was reckoning to her. She opened the door and yawned as her friend Bianca stuffed a big object in her hand. “Ames, Sweetie am off to Mike’s for a few days can you please handle this?” Before Amelia realised what was happening Bianca was out the door and into her car revving away, leaving a trail of smoke behind. Amelia kicked the door shut juggling the huge package in her hand. It was covered with cloth so she couldn’t tell what Bianca wante...

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“The Bakers' Quarrel” by Poonam Desai

Quinn Pimento ran the one and only 'world famous' Baker’s Haven on Cama Street in Mapusa, Goa. His grandfather had started the bakery in 1919. Back then their cakes were so famous, that they would supply to the Colonial officersof the British regime. After him, his father and now he, carried on the tradition of 'Baker's Haven', delivering the most mouth-watering baked goods ever. However, on a particularly cold December day that changed. Just opposite to his Bakery, opened 'Cakes with love'. That day when Quinn was initially shocked and late...

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